column and it was brief:

"The Chancellor of the Exchequer desires to acknowledge the receipt
of L81,000 Conscience Money from Colonel D. B."

"Conscience money!"

The colonel sat back in his chair and laughed softly. He was genuinely
amused.

"Of course, we can get this back," he said at last. "We can explain to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer the trick that has been played upon us,
but that means delay, and at the moment delay is really dangerous. I
suppose both you fellows have money of your own? I know Pinto has. How
do you stand, Crewe?"

"I have a little," said Crewe, "but honestly, I was depending upon my
share of the Gang Fund."

"What about you, colonel?" asked Pinto meaningly. "If I may suggest it,
we should pool our money and divide."

The colonel smiled.

"Don't be silly," he said tersely. "I doubt whether my balance at the
bank is more than a couple of thousand pounds."

"But what about your private safe?" persisted Pinto. "A-ha! You didn't
know I knew that, did you? As a matter of fact, Ferguson told me----"

"What the devil does Ferguson mean by discussing my business?" said the
colonel wrathfully. "What did he tell you?"

"He told me that the package was received and that he had put it with
the other in your safe."

"Package!" The colonel's voice was quiet, almost inaudible. "The package
was received! When was the package received?"

"Yesterday," said Pinto. "He said it came along and he put it with the
other. Now what have you got in----"

But the colonel was walking towards his bedroom with rapid strides.
Presently he reappeared with his hat and coat on.

"Come with me, Crewe. We'll go down to the bank," he said. "You stay
here, Pinto, and report anything that happens."

When they were on their way he confided to the other:

"I have a little money put aside," he said, "and I'm willing to finance
you. You haven't been a bad fellow, Crewe. The only rotten turn you've
ever done us is introducing that damned fellow, 'Snow' Gregory, and you
didn't even do that, for I had met him before you brought him from
Monte--which reminds me. Have you found out anything about him?"

"I have a letter here from Oxford," said Crewe, putting his hand in his
pocket. "I hadn't opened my letters when Pinto came. You'll find all the
news there, if there is any news."

He handed the envelope to the other and the colonel transferred it to
his pocket.

"That'll keep," he said. "What was I